Another wont start, please help

['86erfixer]

So I have a 1986 K5. My old 305 died and I put in a crate 350 HO. Used all the old externals from the 305 (HEI, alt, starter, pumps, etc. . .) Truck was running. Backed it out of the garage, parked in driveway. Next day wont run. I turn the key and have power to lights, radio, etc. When I go to start nothing. Not even turning over. So I thought alternator. Just picked up remanufactured one from a junk yard for $25 out of a 86 K10 Suburban. 78 amps I think. Disconnected battery, removed old alternator, and put new one in. Turned the key lights and radio again are working. I go to start and it makes the normal noise. Not turning over, but like the starter engaging maybe? I dont know. But it only did it once and now nothing again. I let it sit for a little while (long enough to get on the internet and write this up) Tried to start it again, and this time it made the same noise again.


Do I need to jump it for the first time and let it run so the alternator can take a charge?
Is it a bad alternator? Maybe the starter is/was the problem all along? I know my explanation isn't great, but any thoughts/ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[nvrenuf]

Most likely either the battery or starter.

Is the battery fully charged (12.6v)?

 

[pblaze725]

I recommend you charge the battery. Check and make sure the terminals are clean too.

The alternator can not charge the battery unless the pulley is moving.You need to run it for a little while to build up a charge.

Ok, once the battery is charged and you get the engine cranked you can test the alternator like this.

With the vehicle running disconnect the battery. If it remains running the alternator is working. Shut off the engine and re connect the battery terminals.
If you are not comfortable with doing this, just go down to the auto parts store & they can test your alt & batt for free.

Good luck.

 

['86erfixer]

So the symptoms sound more like a battery problem than an alternator? I can pick up a battery charger tomorrow. I thought that since I still had power to lights, radio, etc it sounded more like an alternator. But what do I know. I'll take the alternator back and hook up a charger tomorrow. Hopefully thats the solution. Thanks everyone.

 

[magik235]

I thought that since I still had power to lights, radio, etc it sounded more like an alternator.

The power requirements for these items are much smaller than the starter. When fixing electrical issues it is best to know you have a fully charged battery.

 

['86erfixer]

???

Put a battery charger on it. Says its at 100%. New alternator from junk yard. Still nothing. Should I jump it to see if that helps? If it were the starter, wouldn't it show signs of going out. Taking longer to crank over or something rather than one day just not working?

ok so. . .

battery is fully charged.
replaced alternator with a newer remanufactured one
still have power when turn the key but absolutely nothing when I go to start it.

could it be my HEI? No one's been able to get this thing timed correctly. Never been certain my distributor is worth a sh*t. New cap and rotor tho with new wires & plugs.

 

[pblaze725]

That could mean either the cylinoid on the starter went out or the ignition module did.

Some folks would tap the starter on the side with a BFH, Others might try to arc the cylinoid posts with a screwdriver.

So the starter is not turning over at all & there is no clicking of the cylinoid?

Make sure the wires going to & from the starter haven't been damaged. You can also take the starter to the auto parts store & they will test it for you for free before you spend any more $.
Good luck

 

['86erfixer]

awesome. thanks. will do.

I appreciate all the help fellas

 

[pblaze725]

awesome. thanks. will do.

I appreciate all the help fellas

.. So I went for a drive and was thinking about your problem. It reminds me of a story about my rig. Wanna hear it? ok.

It was new years eve and I was camping with my friends. It was about 10:30 or so and we decided to go for a drive up to a ridge in the middle of the desert. Around these parts the deserts come alive at night during the winter with off roaders, quads, dirtbikes, all the fun desert toys with lights and all the bells & whistles. Anyway, we wanted to watch the lights and fireworks at it became New Years.
I was climbing the hill and got to hopping a little bit and nearly at the top I stalled out. OH SH!t this is a bad spot. I would hate to back down this at night.
I turned the key and it started right up. I stomped the gas and made it to the top where the ground was level. It then stalled out again.
This time I turned the key, the lights came on, the stereo came on, but the starter wouldn't even crank.
I looked around the engine bay for a little while but couldn't find anything wrong.
Midnight came so we popped open a bottle of champagne and had a toast. Sitting there on my broken rig,New Years, having a toast with my 2 best friends in the middle of the desert I was happy.
Then they left me there with the dogs looking for any possible way to tow me down the from the top. It got quiet, then it was silent. It got dark, then turned pitch black. I tell you minutes seemed like hours. The dogs started to get spooked; they spooked me so I got my gun out. What a sight!
They finally came back and we towed JIMMY back to camp. That little Taco towed me through all kinds of stuff.

I found some pics:







Ok so here we are on New Years day looking for the problem. We checked the alternator, I took off the starter, checked the wires on the dizzy. We were stumped all day....
Then there it was. On the firewall just under that red sticker in the center there were some wires that are connected to a terminal. I wired the power to my lights to that terminal post, and as I was wheelin' with all of the lights on it shorted the wires out at that location. We fixed a damaged wire, I hooked the lights directly to my battery & everything worked again.

THE END?